Buying a Longarm: 10 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself

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As many quilters know, buying a longarm machine is a pretty big deal — deciding what make and model you want can lead to some serious analysis paralysis! But luckily for you, Chrisauna Shoaf is here to help you narrow down your options with ten simple questions. So what are you waiting for? Read on to see how you can finally get the longarm machine of your dreams!

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The Top 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying a Longarm

There comes a time when you may ask yourself: Do I want to have someone else quilt my tops for me, or do I really want to quilt all my beautiful quilt tops myself? Ask yourself these ten questions when searching for the machine of your dreams.

1

What is my budget? If the machine you want is beyond your current budget, consider the possibility of financing the balance or the whole machine. What are the financing options?

buying a longarm — My 12-foot frame in my garage studio.

An example of my longarm quilting machine with a throat space of 21 inches.

2

What kind of space do I need? What size quilts will you quilt the most? If you love quilting large quilts but have limited space, a hoop frame may be best. I started out with an 8’ frame but very quickly realized I love larger quilts and had to relocate my machine to my garage so that it could accommodate my new 12’ frame.

3

What are my must-haves? Consider limitations on space and arm length regarding the location of the power button and handwheel. Manual or automatic channel locks? Frame hydraulics? Stitch-regulation? If not, can it be added later?

4

What about the longarm brand, education, and support? Consider the reputation of the brand and the warranty. What classes are included with your purchase, and what’s available afterwards? Also consider tech support, maintenance, and ease of replacement parts.

5

Do I want robotics? Do you prefer E2E (edge-to-edge) designs on your quilts, or free-motion quilting? Quilters may eventually want robotics if their shoulders and arms become overworked. If you opt for robotics, what education is available? How user-friendly is the software?

6

Will I quilt for myself or turn this into a business? If you are going into this as a business, will you offer E2E quilting only, a combination of E2E and custom quilting, or will you offer custom quilting only (which doesn’t require software)?

7

Do I want a sit-down or standing machine? Some people may have health restrictions that may prevent them from standing at a machine to quilt all day. If hydraulics are an option, you may be able to lower the frame and sit on a stool to quilt. I say to try out both before purchasing!

Consider channel lock and power button placement.

8

Have I taken the machine for a test drive? To me, this is one of the most important factors outside of budget. Go to a quilt show and test drive each machine you see. Are the handles stationary or adjustable; are the buttons customizable?

9

How will I get my machine serviced? If your machine needs servicing, will a tech come to you, or will you have to send your machine out?

10

Will I have time to create quilt tops after I purchase my longarm? I loved the quilting so much after I got my longarm, I sadly had little remaining time to make quilt tops. Some people realize later that they miss creating quilt tops and then their machines become paper weights for fabric and quilt tops!

And there you have it — my top questions to ask yourself when you are thinking of finally taking the plunge and purchasing your new longarm love.

About the Author

Chrisauna Shoaf is the owner of House Of Threads and an ambassador/educator for The Grace Company. Chrisauna began her longarm journey in 2016 and continues to grow her custom quilting skills.

We know that buying a longarm can be pretty intimidating, but hopefully these ten questions will help make it a bit easier! Do you have any additional questions that we may have missed? We want to hear from you! Share with us on Instagram, Facebook, or the comments below. And, as always, happy quilting!